NCERT Solutions for Class 12 English (Flamingo) Poetry 5 Aunt Jennifer’s Tiger

NCERT
SOLUTIONS
CLASS - 12th

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Class : 12th
Subject : English
Chapter : 6
Chapter Name : Aunt Jennifer’s Tiger

Q1 How do ‘denizens’ and ‘chivalric’ add to our understanding of the tiger’s attitudes?

Answer. ‘Denizens’ mean person, animal or plant that lives in a particular place. Tigers are
found in their natural habitat that is forest. The term ‘chivalric’ refers to the bold qualities of
bravery and courtesy. The tigers are wild and fierce in their own zone. They are not afraid of
anything. Tiger’s attitude contrasts with the life of Aunt where, because she is dominated by her
married life while he is free.

Q2 Why do you think Aunt Jennifer’s hands are ‘fluttering through her wool’ in the second
stanza? Why is she finding the needle so hard to pull?

Answer. Aunt Jennifer’s hands are ‘fluttering through her wool’ because she is afraid of her
spouse. She has been suppressed by her marriage so much that she cannot move her hands
freely. She has submitted to the will of her husband.

Q3 What is suggested by the image ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’?

Answer. The term ‘massive weight of Uncle’s wedding band’ clearly tells that Aunt was not
happy with her marriage. She feels burdened by the vows of her marriage that she fears
speaking against him.

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Q4 Of what or whom is Aunt Jennifer terrified with in the third stanza?

Answer. Aunt Jennifer is scared of her husband. She is the one who has to obey the orders. Her
life is full of difficulty and misery. She has been taught to follow her husband's every word and
complete the vows at any cost.

Q5 What are the ‘ordeals’ Aunt Jennifer is surrounded by, why is it significant that the poet uses
the word ‘ringed’? What are the meanings of the word ‘ringed’ in the poem?

Answer. Just like animals are trained in the same way, aunt has been taught to submit her life to
her husband and fulfil the vows at every cost. The term ‘ringed’ means to be controlled like in
circus animals are. In the similar way her husband controls her, but on the contrary tiger is free.

Q6 Why do you think Aunt Jennifer created animals that are so different from her own
character? What might the poet be suggesting, through this difference?

Answer. Aunt Jennifer have stitched wild tigers. She has been pushed in by her marriage and
the vows, unlike free and wild tiger. She is fearful of her husband and does as he wants. The
poet here shows how she is suppressed while tiger is free.

Q7 Interpret the symbols found in this poem.

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Answer. Symbols are an important part of a poem. In the poem ‘Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers,’ a
number of symbols have been used.

Denizens of the world of green means the inhabitants of the forest, like the animals in the forest.
Ringed with ordeals means to be caught in misery or pain. Massive weight of uncle’s wedding
band means burden the aunt is carrying since the day of her marriage.

Q8 Do you sympathise with Aunt Jennifer? What is the attitude of the speaker towards Aunt
Jennifer?

Answer. Yes being a reader I completely sympathize with Aunt Jennifer.

The author feels sad for Aunt Jennifer. Author feels she should have spoken against the
problems she was facing. ‘Bright topaz denizens of the world of green’, it means the residents of
forest.

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